A canon-compliant drabble on The Amazing Spider-Man #60.
Too long had gone by since Peter left to look for her father.
"I can't shake the feeling that there's something wrong here!" Gwen explained, growing frustrated.
"Like what, Gwen?" Harry inquired.
"I don't understand it! First dad... And now Peter hasn't returned either!"
Mary Jane came running towards them suddenly, looking a fright. "Gwen! Where's your father? I've got to see him! There's something happening outside... Something he should know!" The redhead explained.
"M.J! You look like you've seen a ghost!" Gwen replied, growing worried.
"What is it, girl? Speak up!" Harry exclaimed.
"I was backstage, and I saw a fight... Then one of the men grabbed me... Using me as a human shield!"
"A shield! Against what?!"
"Against Spider-Man! Like... It was him they were fighting!" Mary Jane further explained.
"I'm sure that... There's nothing... to worry about... Young lady!" George said, suddenly standing behind Mary Jane.
"Oh! Captain Stacy! I... I didn't know you were there!" Mary Jane said, slightly startled by George's sudden appearance.
Gwen was relieved to see her father again, beaming brightly. "Dad! You're back! You're all right! I was getting so worried!"
"Worried? ... About what?" George deadpanned.
Gwen flung her arms around her father's shoulders, hugging him tightly. "About you, you handsome creature! About the most wonderful father any fortunate female ever had!"
"But that fight I saw... You say it was like nowhere?" Mary Jane asked, confused.
"Maybe they were rehearsing an act!" Harry attempted.
"You may all rest assured... There is nothing... To be concerned about! And now... Let's finish enjoying our dinner... And the delightful show! I hope you will dance again for us, young lady!" George said, directed towards Mary Jane.
"You know it, man!"
"Dad... I still don't understand! If M.J saw a fight backstage... Involving Spider-Man... It must be something serious! And Peter went back there! Why hasn't he returned?" Gwen inquired suddenly, growing serious.
"You know him, Gwen! He's probably on the trail of some news pics!" Harry replied.
Harry was driving Gwen and George home, Gwen was sitting in between the both of them.
"I still think we should have waited for Peter to return!" Gwen explained.
"Aw, you know that rovin' roomie of mine, Gwen! He could be gone for days! When that shutterbug is after some news pix.. Forget it!"
"Dad! Do you think that- dad?" Gwen asked, glancing at a vacant looking George staring out the window. "Is... Is anything wrong?"
"No!... I'm just... tired!" George replied.
There was a knock at the door, and Gwen opened it to see Peter. "Peter! I... Never expected... Where've you been? What happened to you?" Gwen inquired.
"It's a long story...!" Peter began. "Is your dad home? May I come in for a minute?"
"It's not very flattering to me... If you only wanna stay in for a minute?" Gwen smirked.
"Would ya believe... Forever?" Peter flirted back.
"Try me, Mr. Parker!"
Gwen escorted Peter inside, and George interrupted them. "Good evening, young man! I thought I heard someone! Isn't it rather late to come calling, Mr. Parker?"
"I'm sorry, sir! But I have some... Information for you!" Peter explained awkwardly.
"That's my cue to make some coffee!" Gwen exclaimed, turning to head into the kitchen. Stopping at the doorway. "Tis the unkindest cut of all! Time was when the groovy young gents came to see Gwendolyne! To think I'd become an eighteen-year-old has been- Alas!" Gwen teased with dramatic flair.
"Come into the study, Parker!" George said.
Gwen returned to the study, a tray in hand with three cups of hot coffee in hand to see George falling to the floor with Peter above him. "Dad! You're hurt!" Gwen exclaimed, dropping the tray. "What happened?!"
"Gwen! Whatever he says... Whatever you hear..! It isn't... what it seems!" Peter attempted, looking worried.
"He's mad! He attacked me for no reason at all! Call the police... Do you hear? The boy is dangerous!" George yelled, trying to get up.
Gwen ran to George, delicately holding him against her, shielding herself between George and Peter. "You... You tell me not to believe... What I see with my own eyes!" Gwen said, thick tears brimming her eyes, glaring at Peter. "You struck my own father... An old man... The dearest, gentlest man who ever lived!"
"No, Gwen... No!" Peter attempted desperately.
"Then deny it! Let me hear you deny it!"
"I... I can't!"
Gwen helped George to his feet, escorting him from the room, fresh fury in Gwen's eyes now as she fought the tears. "Get out, Peter... Get out! And never come back! I never want to see you ever again!" Gwen said with fresh conviction.
Peter left, looking miserable. It wasn't until his the sound of his motorcycle revving into the night that Gwen felt remotely safe again, ushering her father into a seat.
"What made him do it, dad? Why did he attack you?" Gwen asked, still fighting the tears back, trying to make sense of this.
"I'm tired now, Gwen! I want to sleep! We'll discuss this in the morning!" George said, looking frail.
Gwen left reluctantly. 'I just couldn't bring myself to call the police! But I'll never forgive him! Never!'
Her movements halted in the doorway, holding on to the doorknob. "Are you sure I shouldn't call the doctor?" Gwen inquired slowly.
"Positive! I just need some sleep!"
Gwen was exhausted. She'd been worrying herself sick, going over George and Peter's encounter. She was barely gone five minutes, what could have made Peter do something so awful out of the blue?
"Perhaps reading the paper can help me stop thinking of Peter." Gwen began aloud, turning the newspaper over. "Oh, it's a special edition!"
"Why, it's a picture of... Of... Oh, no!" Gwen was stunned to read the newspaper headline: 'Ex-police official robs P.D files! Retired Captain George Stacy Photographed in Act of Stealing Top Secret Data!' With a photo of George on the front page. "Dad committing a crime!- And to make it worse!- It was Peter who took the picture!" Gwen exclaimed, stunned, fresh tears filling her eyes.
